A Sudden Gift of Fate

Only a fool would miss the warnin' Buck had just given the youngest Reed brother. Whether the kid realized it or not, Buck was tellin' him to shut up about Vin, both his ability on the trail and about travelin' with a wanted man. Vin stopped in mid-motion, realizing he had just called Micah Reed, who was his own age, 'kid.' After only a moment, he shook his head and finished making breakfast.

The simple fact was, despite them bein' born in the same year, Vin felt a helluva lot older than Micah Reed. Hell, JD was a helluva older than the outlaw now travelin' with Vin and Buck! The tracker shook his head as Buck joined him at the campfire, asking softly, "You okay?" Vin shrugged, trying not to grimace at the pain caused by the motion. He knew the pain would last a while ... accordin' to what he was told in the past, when he was stabbed, even after the wound healed, he would still hurt 'cause of the bruised muscles.

"Reckon I bin hurt worse. Think that one'll behave?" Vin asked, nodding his head toward Reed. Buck grimaced, then poured himself some coffee. Anybody's guess, just like Vin figured. The tracker continued after a moment, "Ain't gonna be too much longer 'fore we git to Eagle Bend. Buck, that telegraph seem a mite odd to ya?" Buck raised his eyes to look at Vin, who explained, "I got a bad feelin' about it."

"You mean the fact that McCall thinks they'll need Reed for two weeks, maybe more than that?" Buck asked and Vin nodded. The other man continued, "Yeah, I've been thinking on it. At the time, the explanation he gave me made perfect sense ... he had some questions for Reed, involving the rest of the gang. Perfectly logical. I ain't so sure now. Seems to me, the way that last telegraph was worded, McCall sounded a mite disappointed when we said we would leave Reed in his town for the two weeks."

"It made sense," Vin agreed softly, "since we was thinkin' it was McCall, and he's a lawman. Don't hold with vigilantes, like his boss does. But somethin' just don't feel right here. I know Chris is worried 'bout it, too." Larabee didn't worry himself over most things. And usually, Vin's senses were much stronger. For some reason, though, his senses had slowed down in the last few months. Vin continued after a moment, his eyes flickering around, "I don't think Reed is in on it, whatever it is."

"No," Buck agreed softly, "no, he was as surprised as we were. Imagine we both best keep our eyes open in Eagle Bend. 'Cause if someone other than McCall sent that telegraph, we could be up to our asses in trouble." Vin nodded in acknowledgment. It was something they also brought up with Judge Travis, who reminded them that Deputy McCall was a law officer. In order to deny his request for the prisoner's transport, he needed more than just a hunch.

Vin knew that. And he also knew there was no logical reason for him to feel this ... uneasy. When Chris received the original telegram, he and Vin both tried to get the answers they needed from McCall. McCall had an answer for everything, and that made both friends nervous. Before they left town, he and Chris 'discussed' it again. Both felt it was very possibly a trap, but by that time, there was nothing they could do. Vin reassured Chris as best he could.

But Vin himself wasn't reassured. And Buck put his fears into words, saying, "You know, Stains may have figured out the bounty." Vin nodded without speaking. There were times when he wondered why he stayed in the town, instead of moving on, like he planned to do. He always got the same answer. You could only run for so long. And in the town ... hell, in his friends, he found a sanctuary.

Chris Larabee's words from earlier that year repeated in his head, when Vin admitted that he didn't want to 'hang like some mangy dog.' I'm not gonna let that happen. And he hadn't. He had found Vin before Eli Joe and his gang hung him outside of town. Just like Josiah had stepped between himself and certain death, while they were trying to rescue Chris from Jericho, certain death from a woman who later died as she sentenced so many to die.

Ezra had been prepared to break his promise, to never run out again, in order to protect Vin from the mercenaries. As the weeks passed, more and more of Vin's memory returned, and he remembered hearing Ezra plot ways to get Vin to safety. Hell, there was one who had changed, just in the last few months. It was Vin's experience that while people changed, their essential ... self ... remained the same.

Ezra always had that potential in him ... just took some doin' to find it. And JD. JD had stood between the false posse and the way out of town, swearin' that he wouldn't let them take Vin. Lord, Vin didn't know then if he wanted to hug the kid for tryin' so hard to keep him safe, or shoot him, for riskin' his life like that. If he was truly honest, he still wasn't sure. But he was grateful for JD's support. Any time.

Buck said softly, bringing him back to the present, "We'll figure out a way around this, Vin." The tracker nodded, eyeing first Buck, then their prisoner. And then he nodded again.

Yeah, they would. Because Vin Tanner made himself a promise when he woke up in Laertes Townsend's ranch house, all those weeks ago. He promised himself that he would live, and go on, and not throw away the gift given to him by Laertes and Drina. He wouldn't throw that away then, and he wouldn't do it now, not after Laertes sacrificed himself to save them all. He said softly, still wincing at the soreness in his gut, "Then let's git goin,' Buck."

Part 7

Buck Wilmington, Vin Tanner, and Chris Larabee weren't the only ones uneasy about the telegram which Deputy McCall sent. Orrin Travis had taken the stage to Eagle Bend, after the exchange of telegrams between himself and Chris Larabee. While, as he told his two peacekeepers some months before, that hunches didn't hold up in a court of law, Orrin Travis had lived too long to dismiss them. As a lawyer and judge, they weren't acceptable evidence. As a man ... he was too smart to let it go at that.

And so, he traveled to Eagle Bend. According to the locals, Deputy McCall left town after leaving the telegraph office. But that was the previous day, and he wasn't back yet. Bad sign number one. Bad sign number two came when Sheriff Stains saw him through the window of the jail. The man's face went slack with fear. Which meant trouble for Orrin's two peacekeepers. He simply tipped his hat and kept moving, his mind racing all the while.

He had been out of Four Corners for a little over a month now, and found none of the answers he sought at the asylum. As the territorial circuit judge, Orrin had some influence. But while the administrator admitted that there was no reason for Adriana Wilmington's detention at the asylum, he couldn't tell the judge why she was kept there. The man hadn't even been there at the time ... he was, in fact, hired to run the place after her escape.

There was a massive house cleaning after the girl made fools of them all, the new administrator admitted frankly. Not just in escaping them, but in her response to the ... treatments. They had no way of knowing if these treatments would benefit someone who was insane ... but the descriptions of what was done made Orrin nauseous. It quickly became apparent to him that even if a person was sane when they first arrived, as Adriana was, it was questionable whether they would remain that way.

Orrin didn't know if he could have remained sane, even for six months. True enough, he hadn't learned the art of detachment, as she had. But Orrin still wanted to leave that place of death at his first opportunity. He learned enough to realize that the previous administrator was most likely in the pocket of both Avery Wilmington and the mysterious opponent of the Seven, though that was hard to say, since the man was found hanging in his office.

The current administrator did, however, admit to knowing one thing. The girl had been brought to the insane asylum, fevered and delirious. She had very nearly died. And Avery Wilmington arrived at the asylum shortly after his daughter's escape. Right around the time the previous administrator was found hanging in his office. Which begged the question. Was that a suicide ... or a murder?

Still, that didn't answer any of the important questions, and Orrin sensed that Wilmington knew law officers would eventually start hunting him down, once his daughter escaped. The administrator acknowledged that someone knew Wilmington's claim to the girl was tenuous at best, since Adriana was then traveling under the name of 'Wilson.' There was no judge's ruling, committing her to the asylum. She was kidnapped and held there illegally.

While the current administrator couldn't be sure, his guess was, Wilmington was coming to the asylum to do just that. The man also acknowledged he wasn't terribly sure if his predecessor committed suicide. It seemed awfully convenient to him, that the two men responsible for the kidnapping of a young girl were nowhere to be found. One died, and the other disappeared after ordering all documents involving the young girl to be burned.

It seemed awfully convenient to Orrin, as well. Wilmington figured someone would eventually be on his trail, and took precautions. But not enough, because Julian Poplar had figured out what he was up to. And now, as he walked the streets of Eagle Bend, waiting for his two peacekeepers, another thought struck the circuit judge. Just how did Julian Poplar know of those things, if Wilmington ordered all of the papers pertaining to Adriana's illegal stay at the asylum?

Unless ... he didn't get all of them burned? Orrin stopped dead in his tracks, mentally reviewing the details he had to date. Avery Wilmington had his daughter taken to the asylum by the mercenaries employed by her former owners, while she was near death from the fever. He ordered the administrator to lie to his son when Buck arrived. Wait. Adriana and Buck both mentioned the telegram sent to him ... who sent that telegram?

Another question to be answered. Orrin went back to mentally reviewing his notes. Adriana spent the next six months in the asylum, standing up to the administrator, to many of the doctors and the orderlies. She took under her wing a rather inept bounty hunter named Ike Poole. That begged another question. Why were men and women allowed to mix freely? Yet another question to be answered. Under the current administrator, there was a men's ward and a women's ward. There wasn't under the previous.

And then there was another question. Why the asylum, for the bounty hunter? Why not the prison camp? Because, Orrin remembered, the first prison camp was wiped out. But still ... that made no sense. You tended to put those men who asked too many questions and were too obvious in them, in prisons and such. Not in an insane asylum. That made no sense. True enough, asylums were, as Adriana put it so succinctly, for people who didn't give a damn about them. But ... it still made no sense. And the questions continued to rack up for the already-troubled judge.

An escape plan was hatched by Ike and Adriana. Ike died during the escape. Why? He was told that Ike sacrificed his life so Adriana would be free. But again ... why? Why was he covering their backs, instead of taking point? True, from everything Orrin had learned, the man was incompetent as a bounty hunter, but surely he would make sure the coast was clear before allowing Adriana out into a dangerous area?

So ... he died in the escape and Adriana survived, though just barely. Some time between Adriana's escape and the last few months, Dr. Wallace Powell had left the insane asylum, and went to the prison camp. Wallace Powell ... a common thread in this entire sordid tale. One of two. Two people who had ties to both the asylum and the prison camp. Powell, and Adriana herself, if only for the rescues she and Laertes effected.

Powell, then, would be his next avenue. When he returned to Four Corners, he would talk further with Nathan Jackson, and he would try to contact Julian Poplar. It was entirely possible the young Pinkerton man knew more than he realized. As Chris Larabee once told Mary, what a man doesn't know could get him killed. That was true in the West, regardless of your profession. This investigation had already become personal for Orrin ... he wasn't about to take any foolish risks.

And then, as if conjured by magic, his two men rode into town. Orrin's dark eyes narrowed as he realized that Vin was hunched over in his saddle. But the young tracker managed a tired smile as the two peacekeepers pulled their horses to a stop in front of the local saloon. Orrin returned the smile as he left his place on the boardwalk to join his men. Buck Wilmington was already pulling Micah Reed from his saddle, and Orrin went to help Vin.

As he did, he passed Buck, who murmured, "Jackass tried to get free last night. Got Vin in the gut a few times, so he ain't feelin' so good." Orrin realized immediately that was why the tracker didn't look well at all. While the stab wound had healed, his abdominal muscles were still bruised from the attack. Orrin grimaced and gave the young man a stable hand as Vin dismounted. He put a supportive arm around the tracker's waist, hearing a soft groan of pain as both legs hit the ground.

"C'mon, son ... let's get you some place where you can rest," Orrin murmured. He was rewarded with the faintest bob, and Orrin called over his shoulder, "I'll get Vin to the room I reserved for the two of you. You take care of the prisoner." Buck nodded his agreement, his eyes never leaving the tracker. Orrin helped Vin inside and upstairs to the room. The judge flinched at the hitches in Vin's breathing, as he struggled to hold back his gasps of pain.

By the time they actually reached the room, Orrin was supporting more and more of Vin's weight. The tracker was almost doubled over in pain, and Orrin said softly, "I think, son, you need a hot bath, then some rest. I ordered a hot bath ... it should be filled, and ready, by now." The young man gave him a wan smile as Orrin gently eased him onto the bed, and the judge's apprehension grew. But what really worried Orrin was the lack of protest from Vin as Orrin started removing first his hat, then his gunbelt, then finally his boots.

Instead, the young man just lay back on the bed, arms resting on either side. He whispered, "Learnt a long time ago. Ya 'cept help from somebody ya trust. Don't need m' gun in the bath ... reckon ya can watch m' back." Orrin placed the boots under the chair where the gunbelt and the hat found a neat, albeit temporary, home. He dipped a quick hand into the hot water ... good. It was ready.

Vin continued, still sounding very tired, "Would be right obliged to ya, if ya would turn yer back." Orrin bit his lip, to hold back a smile, and instead turned his back while the tracker undressed. The young man continued, "Didn't feel right to ya, neither? I don't like it, Judge. And I don't like the way he answered ever' one of them questions. Don't feel right. Feels like a trap. One I cain't see."

A brief silence, then the sound of water sloshing, then a soft sigh as the hot water started its healing work. Once he heard that sigh, Orrin turned around and smiled to see Vin lounging back in the bath, his eyes at half-mast. The judge replied, "That's why I came, son. Thought you boys might need some help. Give yourself a few days to rest up, then you and Buck should head back to town. I'll come back with Reed." Vin just nodded, his soft even breathing telling Orrin the boy would soon be asleep. With a faint smile, the judge settled in to wait for Vin's partner.

Part 8

Chris Larabee had a silent bet with himself, once his two men rode out of town with Micah Reed. How long it would take before someone pushed Adriana too far. Knowing her as he did ... and knowing how she had struggled during the last month with living in town ... Chris was sure it would take place within twenty-four hours of Vin and Buck's departure. He lost that bet by a narrow margin. And the person who was the source of Adriana's explosion wasn't exactly whom Chris had suspected ... damn. He was slipping.

The day after Vin and Buck left with Micah Reed, Chanu rode into town. Once a week, since the return of the Seven, Chanu would come to town and check on things. Chris suspected he was really checking on Vin, in his own sort of way. Making sure his 'brother' was recovering and healing. At the same time, he would check on young Mahlon Conklin, to see how the boy was doing with his own penance.

Chanu had grown fond of the boy from back East, perhaps seeing in him what his own child would have been like, if the baby and Claire hadn't been murdered by Reverend Moseley. Mahlon's attempt to aid Vin in the stables only caused that affection to grow. While Chanu, like Chris, wasn't pleased that their friend was hurt, Chanu was trying to teach the boy to forgive himself. And, he would stop by to speak with his brother-in-law Rafe.

On this particular day, Chris was sitting on the steps of the church when Chanu rode into town. The young warrior never stayed long. Most times, you didn't even know he was there, if he didn't want you to know. Kind of like Vin. Chanu nodded to him as he secured his horse, then approached the church. Chris returned the nod, saying in a low voice, "I'm on escort duty. Escorting Adriana back and forth between her various tasks in town."

That had been Mary's idea. Adriana needed to feel useful, so she divided her time between Watson's Hardware, sweeping (now how did that seem familiar), Gloria Potter's store, and Josiah's church. However, in order to protect Adriana, Mary suggested that Chris, or one of the other men, escort her. At least until the people in town were used to seeing her, and realized that she was 'with' the Seven.

The last few days were quiet, and Chris missed spending time with his sister. He quickly learned two things. First, Laura was part of the package ... where Adriana went, Laura went. Since he was quickly developing a fondness for the little girl, that didn't bother him one bit. He also learned why Adriana spent so much time at the hardware store, the general store, and the church. That was where she was most comfortable ... and where Laura could help as well. The little girl wasn't ready to go into school yet, not after spending half of her life in a prison camp.

Instead, she learned what she needed to know from Mr. Watson-who missed his own grandchildren-from Mrs. Potter, and from Josiah. They were inside the church now, and Chris said as Chanu approached, "Vin and Buck left town yesterday. Prisoner transport." Chanu nodded his understanding, and Chris continued, "C'mon inside. Think Josiah would like to say hello." And, he wanted to see how Adriana and Laura would react to the warrior.

As the two men entered the church, they found Laura happily drawing in one of the pews, while Adriana steadied a workhorse for Josiah. Laura looked up and her small face brightened when she saw Chris. The little girl bounded down from the pew and ran straight into the gunfighter's arms. Chris laughed, swinging her high over his head, as he had learned she loved, then settled her on his hip.

Laura hugged him tightly, saying, "Chris, Adriana and Laura are helping J'siah! Laura's drawing pictures, and J'siah says he'll put them up for me. HI! Are you a friend of Vin's?" This was said to Chanu, who smiled at the child as he and Chris walked to the pew where Laura had been drawing only a few moments earlier. Both Josiah and Adriana had stopped working, Josiah helping Adriana down from the workhorse she had been stabilizing with her weight. Chris was glad ... it looked damn incongruous. His little sister sitting on that workhorse to keep it steady. It looked like she was really riding a damn horse.

"I am. And you are Laura, the brave girl who helped to rescue my brother from the prison," Chanu answered with a grave nod and a smile. Laura just beamed. Over the last month, Chris had the pleasure of seeing the wariness which characterized the little girl at first give way to what he believed was her true personality. A happy, loving little girl ... albeit a little girl who was immensely protective of those whom she loved. She continued to refer to herself in the third person, but each day, that tendency decreased a little.

Chanu continued, "I am Chanu, son of Koje. It's my honor to meet two ladies of such courage." Chris looked first at Laura, then Adriana ... and almost groaned at the sight of his younger sister's face. He saw her mouth, 'Chanu' in a questioning way, then her brows knit together. As if she was trying to figure out something ... like where she had heard Chanu's name before. And Chris prayed that it was in a conversation with Ezra. Or something.

No such luck. Adriana said in that soft voice which generally meant someone's ass was hers, "Chanu ... it was your wife who was murdered by her father. Claire, wasn't it?" Chris winced, both at the sorrow in Chanu's eyes, as well as at Adriana's bluntness. She nodded, looking thoughtful, and continued, "I thought I remembered JD mentioning your name. You and Vin got off on the wrong foot, so to speak ... didn't get along at first."

Oh ... shit. Chris would kill JD for that. Chanu was eyeing Adriana with some wariness. Chris backed up, sensing what was about to happen. He settled Laura on the floor, saying lightly, "You know, I think you need a drink of water, honey. Looks like you've been busy, and I know drawing is thirsty work." Laura, obviously not a fool, looked at Adriana, who removed her gaze from Chanu long enough to nod with a reassuring smile.

Reassured, Laura scampered out of the church ... but Chris was far from reassured. JD told Adriana about the fight in the jail between Chanu and Vin. Which also meant that Adriana knew about Vin being choked into unconsciousness. This was not good. Not good at all. He was right. Only a few moments after Laura's departure, a small, pale fist swung toward Chanu's face, before impacting solidly with the brave's jaw. Surprised not only by the punch itself, but by the power behind it, Chanu landed squarely on his ass.

"That," Adriana said flatly, "was for Vin." Chris closed his eyes briefly as Chanu reached up to massage his jaw, then opened them again, in case his foolish younger sister needed him to bail her out of trouble. Chanu, rather than looking angry, looked surprised. He slowly climbed to his feet, his dark eyes never leaving Adriana. That young woman, for her own part, stood her ground, hands firmly attached to hips.

And then something very unexpected happened. Chanu threw back his head and laughed. Chris had the pleasure of seeing Adriana blink in surprise, then Josiah began rumbling his amusement as well. It took Chris a few minutes to see the humor in the situation ... a small young woman striking a brave during their first meeting ... but he did see it, and began laughing as well. Especially after Chanu gasped, "Oh, I called you the small fierce one ... I was right!"

He was rubbing his jaw as he laughed, and Chris said once he could speak, "You just didn't know how right you were. Chanu, this is Adriana Wilmington." This time, instead of decking Chanu, Adriana dropped a neat curtsey, and Chanu inclined his head. And now that the crisis was passed, Chris couldn't help bragging, "And I taught her how to throw a punch." Chanu grinned at him in response before looking back at Adriana.

"You taught her well. It is my honor to meet you, Adriana Wilmington. Vin has spoken of you often. I apologize ... I should have anticipated your response," he said.

Adriana raised an eyebrow at that, and Chanu explained with a more solemn expression, though his dark eyes danced with laughter, "Vin explained to me that you are honor bound to defend those dearest to you. As any good warrior would be. I should have realized that when you learned of my first contacts with Vin, you would respond accordingly ... if only as a warning. But also to avenge the harm done to the friend we share."

"I always enact some sort of payback. With interest," Adriana replied, and Chanu simply nodded his understanding. For the first time, Adriana smiled and said, "So. Can we say we are even then?" Chanu tilted his head to one side, regarding her thoughtfully. And for a moment, Chris was afraid Chanu would enact his own payback. Until he realized that this had nothing to do with humiliation or counting coup or loss of status. It had everything to do with Adriana explaining in her own way, what the consequences were for hurting Vin Tanner.

"We are even. We are friends," Chanu assured her. Now, Adriana smiled brilliantly, and Chanu continued, "Now. I believe your child will be returning shortly. I wish to see the drawings which would decorate Josiah's church." And with that, it was over. Chanu understood what Adriana had been telling him ... he accepted it. They would move on. Releasing a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, Chris took another glance at Adriana ... and realized it meant even more to her. Some of the strain was gone. So, maybe it was more than just a warning. But if he knew, Chanu didn't care. And if he didn't know ... Chris wouldn't tell him.

Part 9

By the time Buck arrived back at the hotel room which Judge Travis put in their name, Vin was sound asleep in the bathtub. Judge Travis said softly as Buck closed the door behind him, "I was hoping you'd get back soon. We can't let him sleep in the tub." Buck knew exactly what the Judge was asking. He thought. The judge continued, "I need you to hold him up, while I wrap him in a towel."

Well, at least there weren't no ladies about. Vin woulda died of embarrassment. Very gently, the ladies man of the Seven pulled his friend from the water. The fact that Vin slept right through the movement was testament to how tired he was. Buck was tired from his lack of sleep the previous night, but at least that was unbroken. Vin had to be wiped out from the nightmares and the fight.

As the judge promised, he wrapped a towel around Vin's lower body, murmuring, "I haven't done this since Stephen was a child." Buck smiled as Travis knotted the towel at Vin's waist, then Buck carefully lifted Vin into his arms, carrying him to the bed. Moments later, the sharpshooter was resting peacefully in the bed.

Judge Travis settled himself on the bed as Buck took the chair, and the old man said softly, "I'm glad he's asleep. I need to talk to you, and I'm afraid what I found out at the asylum would only upset Vin." Buck straightened up. He had forgotten that. The judge began, "It looks like things are more complex than we originally thought. Especially regarding your sister. The man in charge of the asylum while she was there is dead. He hung himself, not long after she escaped ... and shortly after your father arrived."

Buck looked at the judge, who went on, "The current administrator admitted outright that your sister was there illegally. But we knew that." What he then told Buck blew everything to hell. He should have thought of most of this. But for some reason, it just never occurred to him. If Adriana was there illegally, there shouldn't have been a telegram sent to him or Chris. But there was. Who had sent that telegram?

Buck couldn't answer that question, because no name was found on the telegram when he received it. There were more strange things. The bounty hunter, Ike. Why would he be put in an insane asylum, when they could have left him to die in the remains of the prison camp, before Jessie Quince started it up again? And when he and Adriana escaped, why was he behind her, instead of in front, checking to make sure the coast was clear?

Was the judge's instinct correct? Was the previous administrator's death a murder or a suicide? And ... was DeeDee still in danger from their bastard father? That was what scared Buck the most. He was just starting to get his little sister back, and their father had already made two attempts to destroy his only daughter. Buck knew Chris would look out for her ... knew that Larabee's own guilt over failing her the first time would ensure that, but Chris couldn't be with her twenty-four hours a day.

And then there was the current situation. Buck rubbed at his face, listening in silence to what the judge had to say about Staines. Something was going on, something bad, and he and Vin were right in the middle of it. Once the judge finished, Buck heaved a great sigh and whispered, "Oh, we're in one fine pickle this time, ain't we? Vin's hurtin,' the sheriff is jerkin' us around, and we ain't so sure the good deputy McCall's on our side."

"McCall isn't in town. I've been listening to the townspeople ... he left town shortly after the first telegraph was sent," Judge Travis replied. Buck jerked up his head and looked at the other man. What? Travis nodded, his expression grim, and continued, "According to what I was told, someone saw a young girl go into the telegraph office. She came out with McCall a few minutes later and rode hell-bent for leather out of town. Neither has been seen in town since then, and she's a local girl."

Things just kept getting deeper and darker. If the information which Travis was given was correct, then there was a strong possibility McCall didn't even send those other telegraphs. Which left a number of very ugly questions about what they were doing in this town, and Buck really, really hated ugly. But the judge wasn't finished. He said slowly, "There's something else you need to know." Buck looked back at the other man, who continued slowly, reluctantly, "I've known about this ever since you boys got back to town. It's also about your sister."

What ... about ... her? Travis said, "Laertes Townsend told Nathan something as he was dying. The telegraph which your sister sent to you while she was trapped in the asylum ... it wasn't the last one sent on her behalf. Laertes sent another one. After he found her and she started recovering from her escape from the asylum. It ... was during Marshal Bryce's time in town." Buck stared at the judge in confusion, trying to sort through what he just said.

Then ... oh God. Buck suddenly felt his world turn upside down again, and he growled, "Damn Bryce!" Forgotten was his statement about admiring the man's grit. The only thing Buck could think of was that the marshal had kept him from his sister. Adriana had needed him, and Buck again wasn't there for her ... because of that bastard. The damn telegraph probably came while he was in jail.

"You don't know it was Bryce, Buck ... it could have arrived while he was facing down those outlaws, or after he was shot," Judge Travis replied. Buck knew that was a possibility. But he knew, just as the judge did, that it was equally possible that Bryce had known, and chose not to tell Buck. Judge Travis continued softly, "It was something you needed to know. Something Laertes wanted you to know. Adriana never knew that he sent that second telegraph to you."

If he had known that his sister was still alive ... oh, God, things would have been so different. As it was, Buck just kept getting reminders that while his sister had started to forgive him, she was still wary of him. Not because of anything she said to him, but he overheard a conversation between her and Mary, one that still made him dizzy. And one that made him very glad he was the one who overheard it, rather than Chris.

Buck never realized what he was doing, where Sarah was concerned. Not until he heard his sister tell Mary, quite seriously, that Buck would have never left Sarah's body in the asylum because 'Sarah was perfect. Perfect goddess Sarah, who was too pretty, too sweet for any man, and no man existed who was good enough for her.' The loathing in his sister's voice had shocked Buck to his very core.

Oh yes, his sister hated Sarah ... resented her fiercely, bitterly, because of that supposed perfection. Had he and Chris really put Sarah on a pedestal after her death? He supposed they had. And what made Buck even sicker was, that hatred was part of what saw Adriana through the next six months in that hellhole ... along with her hatred of Buck for leaving her there, and her hatred of Chris for never even coming for her.

It occurred to him, somewhere in the back of his mind, that he should be angry with Adriana for her resentment of Sarah. After all, Sarah was dead, and you didn't speak ill of the dead. And Adriana was alive, despite their father's absolute best efforts. She didn't have any reason to resent Sarah, not really. She was alive, and Sarah was dead. Chris had been able to save her, and he couldn't save Sarah or Adam.

It also occurred to him that he should be afraid ... because Adriana had confided that in Mary. Not him ... not Chris ... not even Vin (not that he knew of, at least). For the first time, as he thought about a Mary-Adriana alliance, Buck started to get scared of the potential there.

Odd. Adriana didn't resent Adam. If anything, she seemed to grieve as much for the 'nephew' she never met, as she did for Laertes. Why did she hate the mother and not the son? Because Adam was just a little boy, and Sarah was an adult? Or because she never heard him and Chris 'fawn' over Adam, the way she felt they did over Sarah? Buck didn't know. He only knew that when all was said and done, his sister was right. He would have never left Sarah's body in the asylum. That hurt more than anything else.

Part 10

Buck was wrong about two things ... first, that Vin was still asleep. The tracker had gradually come back to awareness during the last few minutes, though he was still drowsy. The pain in his gut had eased, between the warm bath, and the nap ... the ache was dulled, still present, but not nearly as sharp. He heard the judge tell Buck about the telegraph from Laertes while Marshal Bryce was in town, and Buck in jail.

The second thing was, Vin did know about Adriana's resentment of Sarah Larabee. While he had no way of knowing what Buck was thinking, the topic was something Vin not only knew about, but worried about. Not because of Chris, because Drina was too smart to ever let Chris know how much she hated his wife for being perfect when Drina herself was so flawed. 'Course Sarah Larabee wasn't perfect. She weren't no angel or saint.

But to Drina, who heard both of her brothers talkin' about the late Mrs. Larabee in such glowin' terms, it sounded like she was the closest thing to perfect on this earth. Trouble was, while Drina's hatred had kept her alive for those six months her father's cronies were trying to break her ... she weren't in that hellhole no more, and Vin was worried that the hatred would end up burning her alive from the inside out. The hatred ... and the guilt.

However, he would say nothing of this to Drina's brother. The tracker finally managed to force his eyes open, to find Judge Travis looking at him keenly. A smile crossed the other man's face, and he said, "I was starting to wonder if we would have to bring dinner up to you." Buck turned, his face shadowed until he saw Vin's eyes open. A smile appeared, and Judge Travis continued, "I'll get your clothes for you, son, then we'll go down to dinner."

Clothes ... ? For the first time, Vin realized he was naked under the blanket, and closed his eyes with a groan. Awwww ... hell! He wasn't sure if he would have been more embarrassed if they had dressed him while he was asleep, but this was bad enough! Buck said, laughing, "Hell, boy, it ain't as though you got somethin' we ain't never seen before!" Vin opened his eyes to glare at the other man, ignoring the way Buck's shoulders were shaking with laughter. And his face turned bright red when Buck added, "And it ain't like you're my type!"

Vin felt his face burn with embarrassment, even as Judge Travis handed him his clothes. The older man wasn't even looking at Vin, but the tracker could see the judge grinning. The sharpshooter muttered a 'thanks' under his breath, and waited until both Buck and the judge turned their backs, before he started dressing. He had a sudden, powerful image of himself, years earlier, at a swimming hole.

On the banks, he saw a young girl, holding his clothes aloft triumphantly and laughing. The memory took his breath away, and Judge Travis asked softly, "Are you all right, son, or should we order dinner up here?" Vin blinked and forced the image out of his mind, looking instead at his two companions. They were both still looking away. Good. A man didn't need no audience when he dressed himself.

"Naw, I'm okay. Just was thinkin' 'bout Drina for a minute. The times she'd hide my clothes while I was swimmin.' Girl had a mean streak a mile wide in her," Vin replied, still smiling faintly at the memory of that mischievous, triumphant smile. He looked at Judge Travis, who was grinning as well. Not the sort of smile you wore when smiling at someone else's memories ... but your own.

"Mary did that to Stephen a few times," the judge said, his eyes twinkling with laughter, "Oh, the pranks that girl would pull! She was just as imaginative as Casey when it came to getting someone's attention. And Mary was such a hoyden ... it almost made her father crazy. But what did he expect? Marie died when Mary was hardly more than a baby, and he didn't want any women in the house after Marie's death. Mary ended up being raised by her older brothers."

Orrin shook his head, adding, "I suppose that's why Mary's so sympathetic to Casey. She sees Casey doing the same things Mary did, trying to get Stephen's attention when she was fifteen and sixteen years old. Of course, when Mary was eighteen and all grown up, then Gerard and Stephen were competing for her attention." Gerard Whitman. The wagon train. Vin winced at the memory.

"I'm tryin' to imagine that," Buck said, shaking his head, "and that's an image that just don't want to form." Vin wasn't so sure about that. He had seen a mischievous glint in Mary's eyes more than once, and he was sure she could raise some hell herself when she wanted. In fact, as the walls around Drina's heart came down, Vin was having an easier and easier time seein' just how dangerous she and Mary could be as friends as well as allies.

"Mary's good at fooling people into seeing what she wants them to see ... she's had most of her life to perfect her own masks. That's one reason I was so glad your sister came with you, Buck, when you boys got back to town. I think they could be good for each other," Orrin replied as Vin finished dressing. He couldn't argue with the judge. He still laughed when he remembered how neatly Mary had pulled the wool over Maude's eyes. Ezra's ma thought she hoodwinked Mary, but the conwoman got conned, instead. Was the type of thin' Drina liked to pull. What did she tell him once? Somethin' Vin knew, but it was a new way of wordin' it. Oh yeah ... let somebody think they was gittin' what they wanted, and their guard dropped. Exactly what Mary done with Maude.

As the judge and Buck helped Vin from the room and downstairs, Vin wondered how Drina would react to Maude. It was hard to say ... she was damn unpredictable. While she had started letting down her guard with Mary, Mrs. Potter and Nettie, Maude Standish was an entirely different type of woman. Vin's thoughts were interrupted as Buck said softly, "Now don't you be protestin,' son. Judge Travis thinks this will provide a united front."

Wh ... oh. For the first time, Vin realized Buck and the judge were still holding onto him. Well, Vin wasn't about to protest. While he was feeling better, his legs were still a little wobbly, and while it was hard to rely on someone (especially Buck, a little voice inside his head added), it would have been far more humiliating ... and dangerous ... if his legs gave out, and he ended up collapsing in full view of the good sheriff Staines.

Independence would just have to take a backseat to common sense this time. So, Vin wouldn't protest the aid. He would, however, protest one thing. He drawled, "Now, ain't I tol' ya a time or two, don't be callin' me 'son,' Buck? Ya ain't old enough to be my pa!" He heard Buck chuckle in response, and Vin added, "And Judge Travis, hope ya ain't offended when I don't tell ya ya cain't call me that."

"Not at all, son ... unlike Mr. Wilmington here, I am old enough to be your father," Travis replied with a grin. He was on the verge of saying more, when Vin looked away and saw the sheriff of Eagle Bend. The tracker just stared steadily at the man, and Judge Travis followed his line of sight. The judge said, his voice suddenly as cold as the snow in the mountains, "Why, Sheriff Staines, what can we do for you?"

The sheriff didn't answer, looking instead at Vin, and asked, "What the hell is wrong with him?" The judge stepped away from Vin, placing his own body between the tracker and the sheriff, while Buck tightened his hold on Vin's waist. The judge didn't say a word. It was a trick Vin had seen the judge use before. It worked just as well as it always did, and the sheriff blustered, "I'm the law around here!"

"And I'm the circuit court judge. Don't be trying to intimidate me, Mr. Staines. Better men than you have tried ... better men than you have failed. And you know damn good and well what happened to Mr. Tanner ... I know you know, because Deputy McCall told me that he had told you. He told me the rest of that conversation. And I will tell you this now. If any harm comes to that young man, or to Mr. Wilmington, while they're in this town ... you'll suffer the consequences," Travis growled.

Now Vin knew somethin' weird was going on. Buck's arm tightened once more around Vin's waist, and the tracker winced. But that was ignored as Judge Travis continued, "You know me, Mr. Staines. You know I can carry out my promises. And you know what Chris Larabee will do. Believe me when I tell you ... if you hurt either of these young men, I will not stop Larabee from doing whatever he sees fit."

"You cain't do that ... you're a lawman!" Staines hissed, "and them two, they ain't nothin' or nobody!" Judge Travis took a step forward, then another.

And then, his face was only inches from that of the crooked sheriff's. He hissed, "And you're a lawman as well. I don't know what you're up to, Staines, but I do know you. And I know whatever you're up to, it's illegal. And so help me, if my men suffer for it, you'll suffer as well. Are we clear on that?" Staines nodded, his eyes never leaving the judge's face, and Travis barked, "Good! Vin, Buck ... let's go to dinner."

Buck and Vin moved past Staines, the tracker all too aware of the sheriff's eyes on his back. And for the first time, he was grateful for Buck's grip on him. Travis had hit the nail on the head, and he didn't even realize it. Staines was up to something. Up to his eyeballs in it, and he had been called on it. Staines wouldn't react well to that. He'd make his move ... make it tonight. Which meant Vin had to get stronger if he wanted to help protect the judge.

Continued...

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